Loss of Military Might Is The Problem

On the way to the 21st Century the public will to have their tax dollars spent on maintaining military might has been lost in Great Britain, and almost abandoned here in the U.S., thanks to the Clinton's hate for the military.
The result of loosing a military power that is respected and feared by all potential adversaries is evident in the capture in the recent past of the fifteen Royal Marine and British sailors by the Iranians.
Their capture was unlawful and unprovoked, and the failure to release them despite diplomatic efforts is testament to Iran's attitude toward Britain's lack of military strength.
In the days of the Great Royal Navy and "gun-boat" diplomacy this would never have happened.
Winston Churchill would not have allowed this hostage situation., The parading of the British military through the streets and on television is positive evidence of the lack of respect for Great Britain's ability to do anything about it!
For those who don't know what happened the following is an encapsulated version of the events.
A British frigate was in the waters off Iraq and Iran to intercept smugglers of weapons to Iraq. The 14 men and one woman were dispatched in small rigid rubber boats with only side arms and rifles to board a small ship suspected of smuggling weapons.
The two boats were supported by one helicopter overhead. But-- the group was intercepted by six fast Iranian heavily armed gunboats with superior fire power and personnel. Before the 15 could fire their weapons to protect themselves from the Iranians they had to be fired upon. This ridiculous "rule of engagement" is mandatory for all military under the control and command of the U.N. Aside from the fact that the first fire from an enemy might kill some or all the British. This is no way to send soldiers or sailors into a potential battle if you intend to win!
The Iranians forced the 15 to surrender without firing a shot. This action was questioned by Major General John Thompson of the British Army. He described the whole affair as a "cock-up" and asked why the 15 did not fire their weapons. It is sad when senior military personnel send troops into battle without knowing the "rules of engagement".
This is also why the United States should never allow our fine troops to be commanded by the UN or any other World Organisation.
The 15 military personnel are still captive despite Britain's representative to the UN request for support from this "cesspool"on the Hudson, to pass a Security Resolution condemning the abductors and demand an immediate release. The resolution was killed by the negative votes of China and Russia!
The once powerful British are now hoping for the release of the "15" by sending a diplomatic "promise to never enter Iranian waters without Iran's permission. They should send a threat to deliver a cruise missile from one of their submarines that I am sure is in the waters nearby. But the "Brits" won't, because their will to fight has been lost. The same can be said about most of Europe.
Thus, we are alone in this fight, and the people had better realize this before the laws we must obey are written by Sharia Imams, not our Congress.